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Lowell High gas leaks fuel outcry: 'It's beyond repair'

As frustrated residents vent, mayor defends downtown project

By Rick Sobey, rsobey@lowellsun.com

Updated:
04/18/2018 08:21:40 AM EDT

LOWELL -- Concerned parents and residents are following the money.

A group of vocal Lowell High School parents and city residents are telling state officials that giving the city more than $300 million for an expanded/renovated high school would be a disastrous waste of money, resulting in a long and frustrating renovation process.

These calls to the Massachusetts School Building Authority and other state offices come in the wake of last week's gas leaks, which led to three days of no school at Lowell High School. Around 20 parents and residents have contacted the MSBA and other state offices.

They're pointing to the city's Board of Health last year calling for the school to be closed because of its condition. These parents and residents say the high school project would be a $350 million-plus "Band-Aid," and they're worried about the length of construction.

"They'll be throwing away more than $350 million," said Chris Popov, a Lowell resident. "Don't patch up the school. It's beyond repair.

The city should build a brand-new, state-of-the-art school with green space, he added. That would be more fiscally responsible and would meet the students' educational needs, Popov said.

Last year, the City Council supported a new high school at Cawley Stadium. But then residents overwhelmingly favored a downtown high school in November's nonbinding referendum.

Construction on a new high school is expected to begin in the summer of 2021, so tentatively a new high school may be completed by 2026.

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"Our overall message for them (MSBA) is they're about to hand more than $350 million to a city where they let their schools get run down, and where they're in the most sickening state of disrepair," said Ann Draper, a Lowell parent.

"This would be a huge, huge mistake," she added.

Like Popov, she said the kids deserve a brand-new school, not a renovation.

"I would put it in my backyard if I could," Draper said.

This group of parents and residents are trying to take advantage of the recent gas leaks, said Mayor William Samaras.

It's their "last-ditch effort" to prevent a downtown high-school project, he said.

"They're attempting to scuttle the building of any high school," Samaras said.

"I empathize with people worrying about their children, but they shouldn't be worried," he added. "The city will make sure that we do whatever we have to do to ensure the children are safe, and there are no more gas leaks or other problems."

With the expanded/renovated high school in the future, they will completely renovate and refurbish the facility, Samaras said. All of the equipment, piping and systems will be new, he said.

"It is not a Band-Aid approach," the mayor said. "We owe it to our children."

There are three high-school options: Option 2A is anticipated to take four years and a summer to complete. This option includes a new gym, a new freshman academy and renovation of the 1980 and 1922 buildings.

Option 3A looks to renovate the school at an expanded site and there will be no windowless labs. This option may take five years to complete and no modulars are required.

The new option A is a plan for a five-story school plus a basement, and is also on an expanded site. A modular gym, and 24 modular classrooms will be required. This plan may take four years and a summer to complete. Options 3A and the new option A both require the controversial eminent domain taking of property at 75 Arcand Drive.

"How are kids going to go to school on a construction site?" Draper said. "It won't be a healthy environment."

City officials have said there will be a buffer space between construction areas and that the air quality will be tested continually.

"We won't put children at risk," Samaras said.

Matt Donovan, director of administration and operations, said Lowell parents have reached out in the last week about the school's condition. The MSBA hears from parents about local issues "all the time," he said.

"We understand the deficiencies in the school, and are working with the district on a solution," Donovan said.

City Manager Eileen Donoghue said the city has been meeting with consultants and engineers to work on a long-term solution for the gas-leak issues.

"Everybody has been working diligently on this," Donoghue said. "Regardless of what project is ultimately chosen by the city, these issues have to be addressed."

Residents have also been concerned about enough funding going to school maintenance. The city will be undergoing an assessment of all its buildings, not just the schools, for which they hope to get the results back this summer.

After that, the city will be working to create a preventative maintenance plan.

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